African center makes waves in CDO basketball scene

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- African national Stephane Kazembe is making waves on the hard court here in Cagayan de Oro after leading newcomer, the Philippine Countryville College (PCC) Stags, to the final of the 14th Loyola Cup.

The Stags will clash with defending champions, the Southern Philippine College (SPC) Sharks, on Thursday evening for the collegiate title at the Xavier University gym downtown.

The 6'8” center from Kinshasa, Congo, has already received offers from big schools in Manila and Cebu since he set foot in the country last year. However, he has turned down the temptation to play in the Big City and opted to stay in Maramag.

“It’s God’s plan why I am in Maramag,’’ quipped the 18-year-old "lord of the rebounds."

He added that since he enrolled at PCC where he is taking up Information Technology, he has been very happy and feeling at home in Maramag, 136.9 km. away from Cagayan de Oro or nearly three hours of travel time.|

“I am so happy with my boss, my coaches, and teammates here,’’ he said.

Team manager Nonon Abregana Torres and coach Milo Oliveros discovered Kazembe while playing “panalay” (paid game) in one of the barangays in Bukidnon. He played center in one of the teams, although he was still awkward as he never played basketball before in Congo.

Coach Oliveros took notice and Torres did not waste time and offered him a scholarship in PCC. Kazembe then grabbed the opportunity to play for PCC and stay in Maramag.

“I did not know how to play basketball before and that is true. But with training and practice under my coaches, Miko Oliveros and Joseph Lantong, I have improved,’’ he said.

Since he came to PCC, Oliveros, and Lantong, with the support of Torres, trained Kazembe twice daily, before and after school. “I worked so hard with the help of the coaches, I have improved.”

His ward work indeed has paid off as he has led his school in scoring and rebounds from the elimination round up to the semis.

He poured in 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in their semis match against the Iligan Medical Center College (IMCC) Rhinos in the semis.

With him at center, the Stags are definitely favored against the attacking SPC Sharks of coach Rey Dangcal. (PNA)